Doctor crisis, tough budget, Ship's Landing, a youth town council and more!

MARATHON COUNCIL MEETING REPORT

(The summary was posted on Wed., Jan. 9)

THE DOCTOR CRISIS

Councillor Faye Hill outlined the frustration Hantsport residents felt when they learned that Dr. Yuri Canete will leave his Hantsport practice in March.
The town agreed to pay $9000+  to cover some of his expenses for 12 months. He said at his reception that he was here for the long haul.
"When was he given a six month contract? When did the town learn of this? Capital Health did not protect the patients," Faye stated. And receptionist Darlene Whalen was replaced by the doctor's wife.

Both Mayor Rob Zwicker and CAO Rob Frost agreed that the town needs to learn from this experience. And they stated that the town is asserting itself in finding a doctor and in dealing with Capital Health.
A suggestion was made that a letter be sent to Capital Health expressing the town's frustrations.

"TO SAY THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT A VERY TOUGH BUDGET IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT.

CAO Rob Frost stated that the town is facing a reduction of $240,000 in tax revenue - from $2.4 million in 2012-2013 to $2.2 million in 2013-2014.
Of that, $1.1 million is "beyond our control". This includes education, sewer, waste, RCMP, debt repayment, and Property Valuation Services Corporation. (Rob later clarified this, I wouldn’t say it is out of council’s hands, but with current contracts, etc we are looking at 1.1 million that is spoken for. This includes debt repayment, RCMP, Education, Valley Waste, Sewer, PVSC, and a few other smaller line items. ) 
All aspects of the budget will be studied. Council will look at the service provided and how they are provided. 
The solution will come in a cut in services, a raise in taxes, or a combination of both.
Councillor Shannon Cunningham suggested looking at the RCMP. 

STATUS SHIP'S LANDING BUILDING

While Ken Crichton, Executive Director, Hants-Kings Business Development Centre Limited, was invited to make a presentation to council about the CBDC, he was asked about the Ship's Landing building which the organization is involved with. The property has been shown and is available "for very little money". Its estimated value is $100,000. "We could finance it to get it off our hands." The roof leaks. The basement is solid and dry. It has a $40,000 furnace. It needs to be gutted and gyprocked and could b made into three rental units.

A YOUTH TOWN COUNCIL

Councillor Margot Bureaux suggested a youth town council to get youth involved in the town. Several communities have them - eg Parrsboro. She will speak about this at the public meeting later in the month.

HOUSEKEEPING - COUNCIL AGREED TO THE FOLLOWING:

1. Public meetings will be recorded.
2. The town's newsletter will be published monthly.
3. Town office hours will remain as is. Reasons for the new hours were never made public and residents felt ignored. CAO Rob explained that four people make up the office staff. They have staff meetings from 9 -10 AM. Lunch hour is from noon to 1 PM. There aren't enough staff members to relieve over the lunch hour.
4. Following the Council of the Whole meeting, the public has 10- - 15 minutes for an open question period. There will be some guidelines. Starts with the Jan.22 meeting.
5. Council will vote on motions with a show of hands.
6. Enforcement of unsightly premises is a work in progress.
7. Councillor Rob Frederick said there are bylaws and policies relating to dogs and suggested similar bylaws for cats. This will be investigated further.